Residential Utility Consumer OfficeLitchfield Park Service Company - Phase 2 Proceeding
Docket Number: SW-01428A-09-0103 et al.
On March 9, 2009, Litchfield Park Service Company (“LPSCO” or “Company”) filed applications with the Arizona Corporation Commission ("ACC" or "Commission") seeking permanent rate increases for the Company's water and wastewater utility operations in Maricopa County. The applications also sought approval of a hook-up fee tariff.
On Friday, December 10, 2010 the Arizona Corporation Commission ("ACC" or "Commission") issued Decision No. 72026 establishing LPSCO's new rates and charges.
Decision No. 72026 also bifurcated, and deferred for later consideration in a second phase of the rate case proceeding, the issue of the Company-proposed hook-up fee tariff.
On Monday, March 7, 2011, LPSCO filed a Request to Commence Phase 2 of Rate Case to initiate the second phase of the proceeding which deals with the proposed hook-up fee tariff.
On Wednesday, April 13, 2011, the Administrative Law Judge ("ALJ") assigned to hear the matter issued a Procedural Order scheduling a procedural conference for 10:00 a.m. on Monday, May 2, 2011 at 1200 W. Washington in Phoenix.
During the procedural conference the parties to the case discussed a procedural schedule for Phase 2 of LPSCO's rate case.
On Monday, May 2, 2011 the ALJ issued a Procedural Order scheduling the evidentiary hearing on the matter for 10:0 a.m. on Monday, June 27, 2011 in Hearing Room No. 1, 1200 W. Washington in Phoenix.
Direct testimony from LPSCO was filed on Wednesday, May 11, 2011.
Direct testimony from ACC Staff, RUCO and other intervenors to the case was filed on Monday, June 6, 2011.
RUCO is recommending that the Arizona Corporation adopt LPSCO's proposed rate phase-in surcharge but reject the Company-proposed water and wastewater hook-up fee tarriffs.
LPSCO filed a final round of rebuttal testimony on Friday, June 17, 2011.
The evidentiary hearing on the matter was concluded on Monday, June 27, 2011.
On Thursday, August 4, 2011, a request from LPSCO for more time to file closing legal briefs was granted by the ALJ assigned to the case.
RUCO filed its closing legal brief on Tuesday, August 9, 2011.
On Monday, October 24, 2011, the ALJ assigned to the case issued his Recommended Opinion and Order ("ROO") on the matter. The ROO recommends that the Commission adopt Company-proposed rates associated with a phase-in plan adopted in Decision No. 72026 and the Company-proposed hook-up fee tariff which RUCO opposed.
On Wednesday, November 2, 2011, RUCO filed exceptions to the ROO taking issue with the ALJ's Hook-up fee tariff recommendation. On Thursday, November 3, RUCO filed Attachment A to its exceptions which had not been included in the original filing.
During the Regular Open Meeting held on Tuesday, November 8, 2011, four of the five sitting ACC Commissioners voted to adopt the ROO on the LPSCO Phase 2 proceeding.